Folding Screen The Bamboo River c. 1915 - 1940

Ogyu Tensen painted 'Folding Screen The Bamboo River' with what looks like ink and color on paper. Imagine the artist kneeling on the floor carefully layering the translucent colors to create such a delicate composition. I wonder if Tensen worked on each panel separately, or did they complete the full composition at once? The woman's colorful garments are so intriguing. Look at how each patterned layer stacks upon the next. It reminds me of those gorgeous kosode robes that were popular at the time. But with a dreamlike, slightly flattened perspective. The building on the left is more linear and precise. I wonder if Tensen used some sort of straight edge for the architectural elements. I love how Tensen seems to be in conversation with artists of the past, while forging their own path. Painting is an ongoing exchange of ideas, each generation building on what came before.